Edith WeUtonga speaks on her life

FOLLOWING a tragic accident in July 2009 that could have claimed her life, Edith weUtonga rose up again. Despite her injuries, she refused to be written off and in what can pass as an act of defiance, she now proudly wears many different hats.

BY PROBLEM MASAU

She is a musician, a music teacher, bass guitarist and a mother who has sung and strummed her way to the top of Afro-jazz charts.

She is probably one of the few women musicians who play the bass guitar with finesse.

While music has made her known to many people, the Afro-haired singer is a National Arts Merit Award winner for being an outstanding actress.

The award-winning actress is also a teacher at Music Crossroads Academy.

She said her four children were her greatest gifts.

The musician, who honed her acting skills in Bulawayo at Amakhosi Theatre before relocating to Harare, has had a long journey to success.

NewsDay sought to find out how she juggles her endless roles.

“I believe God gives us our duties looking at our capabilities. It takes great planning to be able to do all. I am a mother, actress, teacher and musician. I sit on several boards and all happen because of great planning,” she said.

Edith said her daily routine starts with waking up early so that she can prepare for her daily chores.

“My day starts an hour early before the children wake up. I have to prepare them for school and I also have to prepare for my husband. I have to prepare for rehearsals, meetings, recordings, school pick-ups and I only get to sit down to a quiet house at midnight,” she added.

Born Edith Katiji, the musician said her lowest point in life was when she was involved in a car accident in July 2009.

“My life has not always been full of blessings,” she said.

“In July 2009, I survived a horrific car accident. I fractured my hip and suffered serious head injuries that left me scarred. At the time, I was unaware that I was pregnant. Miraculously I survived and so did my baby.”

She also finds time to support Zimbabwe’s new generation of female musicians and artistes.

She has participated in the Pamberi Trust’s FLAME project (Female Literary Arts and Music Enterprise), where she has mentored younger artistes on issues like dealing with audiences and male colleagues.